Classy Diamond Creek lineup

There’s plenty of good exposed form for this years $110,000 Group One Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic at the Invercargill Harness Racing Club’s Diamonds Day meeting on Sunday.

This year for the first time in it’s ten year history the feature carries Group One status.

Local trainer Nathan Williamson lines up Always Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight). He’s won two races, is one of the most experienced runners in this year’s classic and draws the inside of the second row.

“I was really pleased with him the other day. I probably drove him a bit upside down to his normal race pattern but I thought we’d give it a crack and see what happened. He’s a horse that thrives on racing. He had a good blow the other day and I think he’ll improve with the run. I think he’ll need luck from his draw because he’s the only one to draw the second line following out three maidens. It’ll be interesting to see where he ends up from the draw but if he gets any luck, they’ll know he’s there,” Williamson said.

Last start winner Bettors Anvil (Bettor’s Delight) will start for Steve and Amanda Telfer.

After a quiet bowl round Ascot Park this morning (Friday), Steve is happy with the colt’s condition.

“He’s raced two weeks in a row so we didn’t have to do too much with him this morning. It’s a matter of familiarising him with the track. He did everything well, his matters were great, and he got up the straight quite nice without being under full sail. He’s travelled down well and has been good since he’s been here,” Steve said.

Bettor’s Anvil has drawn wide on the outside of the front row.

“It’s the draw we’ve been given. He’s a very adaptable laid back horse and the extra distance from a mile to 2200 metres gives him more time to get into the race. I don’t see him doing too much early. A lot of the favourites have drawn awkwardly so hopefully they’re doing a bit of work at some point.”

Mark and Nathan Purdon will line up likely favourite Rubira (Always B Miki). In it’s nine year history Mark has won the race five times. Rubira runs from barrier seven with Blair Orange driving.

“He’s got a bit of a sticky gate again but he has proven he can overcome it if need be. When he got back from the Kindergarten (Stakes at Wyndham), he got a bit sick for four or five days. It was probably due to the weather turning so bad. It had been quite nice in Canterbury for quite some time. He seems fine now and in the last ten days he’s been back to his best. I gave him a really strong run yesterday (Monday) and he seems to be back where he needs to be. He’s pretty smart and he’s got a bit of bottom to him. The 2200 metres will suit him,” Nathan said.

The race record of 2-39.6 for the 2200 metre mobile is held by 2021 winner You’re So Fine (Always B Miki) trained by Brett Gray.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink